Conri was left sitting alone in the eerie silence of his dining hall. Outside the house, the rain was pouring loudly while the wind angrily smashed into the trees. The simple rain turned into a storm that grew stronger by the minute. It added to why Conri's hands trembled as he poured his favorite bourbon into his glass.The momentary relief of Acwulf’s departure was quickly replaced by a gnawing anxiety that dug deep into his bones. The tension in his chest hadn’t eased, and Conri could still feel the weight of Acwulf’s cold gaze on him like a noose tightening around his neck.He downed the expensive bourbon in one gulp, and the whiskey burned, but it only soothed his nerves a little. It didn't remove all his worry because Conri’s mind raced. It replayed every word of their conversation, every subtle shift in Acwulf’s demeanor. Had he made the right decision? Would the information hold up? Or had he just signed his death warrant?The wind rattled the window, and the loud sound of the
The engine's sound died as gravel crunched beneath Yannis' boots when he stepped off his motorcycle. He instantly noticed the heavy silence enveloping the Gray Pack’s territory, broken only by the rustle of the wind through pine trees. The Gray Pack had always been a second home to him, it's where he could let his guard down, especially his funny moments with Reule. Yannis' gaze swept over the dense forest that circled the territory. As a warlock, his senses could easily pick up the subtle change of the place's atmosphere. He had been here, maybe five years ago. And as far as he could remember, it should not be this quiet. Yannis adjusted the strap of his black leather jacket and made his way to the big gate. He smirked because he could feel sharp eyes watching him from the shadows. The Gray Pack was known for its wariness toward outsiders, as they were very protective of what was theirs. They couldn't help it as they were one of the smallest packs, but because of their Alpha and th
Acwulf hated drawing attention, actually almost every member of the Black Pack. It's one of their strengths that they were taught to attack an enemy without them even knowing. And so, wherever they go, they try not to be noticeable as much as possible.Right now, Acwulf moved like a shadow through the narrow alleyways of the marketplace. The hood of his cloak was pulled so low that it almost covered his face. The cacophony of traders shouting their wares, the scent of fresh bread mingling with the musk of leather, did nothing to soothe the turmoil brewing inside him. His mind was consumed with one thought: Wren.He tightened his grip on the worn leather strap of his satchel. Although the Black Pack is well-known, robbers are still unintimidated. Some would still attempt to rob them, thinking any member of the Black Pack would be stupid enough to let them. But Acwulf was not among the stupid ones, he carried his money with care. He didn’t even care about the bustling streets or the cur
Lila stood by the large window inside an abandoned cabin a few meters away from her pack's territory. She stared at the sprawling woods bordering the Gray Pack’s territory. The fading sunlight streamed through the trees. It cast long, twisted shadows that seemed to stretch toward her. Her fingers drummed against the window frame, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing the beat of her own racing heart. She was nervous like hell.It was almost time.Her mind buzzed with the plan. Every detail was etched into her thoughts like a brand. She had been turning it over and over in her head, refining it, making sure it was perfect. She couldn't afford to make mistakes if she didn't want to die.Acwulf’s words from their meeting still echoed in her ears: “I won’t fail.” She had taken a risk by allying with him, a man whose reputation sent shivers through even the bravest wolves. But desperation had pushed her, and there was no turning back now. This was more than just getting rid of Wren. This was a
There was no point in hiding, so Lila came out. She smiled at Wren and said, "Hello! I didn't expect you to be here. I thought you were some boys. I was about to take a swim."Wren's confusion slowly disappeared. She was somehow satisfied with Lila's explanation. Only a few knew about this river and could scare you with a little bit of sound or rattle of the leaves behind the bushes. But she didn't smile at Lila and just turned around."Bitch!" Lila whispered.The soft trickle of water filled the air as Wren knelt by the riverbank. Her hands skimmed the cool surface. Her reflection wavered in the ripples, but she barely noticed it. She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the stream, hoping it might help chase away the lingering fatigue that clung to her. The fever had left her weakened. Lila remarked that a walk to the river would help her recovery, but Wren wasn't sure.“You’re looking better already,” Lila said from behind her, her voice faking to be cheerful.Wren opened her
After being yanked out of the river, Wren felt her world was a chaotic blur of cold water and darkness. She gasped for air while coughing up water, and her body shuddered. The water was cold as ice.Suddenly, her arm was gripped by a rough hand, pulling her out into the muddy bank. But her vision seemed unclear. She couldn't tell whether what she was seeing was real.Acwulf stood over her and blocked the little light filtered through the trees. Her eyes gleamed, and his face marked triumph and a predator's satisfaction. He finally caught his prey and was now ready to be devoured.“You’ll regret this,” Wren rasped. Her throat was raw from inhaling water, but Acwulf only smirked. She was like a ragdoll, almost lifeless and barely able to stand. Wren knew she couldn't fight him but tried so hard to hide the fear.Acwulf crouched down with his face inches from Wren. His mouth smelled a mixture of smoke and alcohol, a scent that made her stomach twist.“Regret?” he chuckled. “Darling, I
Lila returned to the Gray Pack, and her face was full of concern and worry. Her heart raced, but her demeanor remained calm. As she was nearing the house she and her brother shared, she could feel some of the pack member's eyes on her. Some were wary, while others were hopeful. The news of Wren’s disappearance had spread like wildfire, and the entire pack was on edge.“Lila!” a voice called from behind.Lila turned and found Reule striding toward her. He had that hard expression, sharp eyes, and oozing with the Alpha power and authority.“Did you hear about Wren?”Lila forced her brow to furrow and her voice to speak in surprise.“No, what happened?”“She’s gone. Disappeared without a trace," Reule said with a tight voice filled with worry and anger.Lila gasped, and her hand covered her mouth.“That’s terrible! How could this happen?”Reule didn't answer. He studied her, his gaze penetrating, making Lila feel almost exposed. But she quickly masked her unease by stepping closer to hi
A few hours ago...Reule’s heart hammered with worry as to where Wren was. She had been missing for almost a day, and his patience was running out. He didn’t like the silence in Yannis’s quarters, nor the way his warlock friend seemed torn, as though holding something back. Reule could sense the tension that radiated from Yannis.Reule went to Yannis to gather some information. “Yannis,” he demanded, his voice taut. “If there’s anything you know, anything at all that could lead us to Wren, I need to hear it now. Her life could depend on it.”Yannis’s gaze flickered, hesitating. Then, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a deep regret reflected in his expression. “Reule… I do know something. Two hours ago I had a premonition,” he said, barely a whisper.Reule took a step forward, his fists clenched, every muscle in his body tense. “Then why didn’t you come to me sooner?”Yannis looked away, his face shadowed by a mixture of guilt and reluctance. “Because… it
A few hours ago...Reule’s heart hammered with worry as to where Wren was. She had been missing for almost a day, and his patience was running out. He didn’t like the silence in Yannis’s quarters, nor the way his warlock friend seemed torn, as though holding something back. Reule could sense the tension that radiated from Yannis.Reule went to Yannis to gather some information. “Yannis,” he demanded, his voice taut. “If there’s anything you know, anything at all that could lead us to Wren, I need to hear it now. Her life could depend on it.”Yannis’s gaze flickered, hesitating. Then, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a deep regret reflected in his expression. “Reule… I do know something. Two hours ago I had a premonition,” he said, barely a whisper.Reule took a step forward, his fists clenched, every muscle in his body tense. “Then why didn’t you come to me sooner?”Yannis looked away, his face shadowed by a mixture of guilt and reluctance. “Because… it
Lila returned to the Gray Pack, and her face was full of concern and worry. Her heart raced, but her demeanor remained calm. As she was nearing the house she and her brother shared, she could feel some of the pack member's eyes on her. Some were wary, while others were hopeful. The news of Wren’s disappearance had spread like wildfire, and the entire pack was on edge.“Lila!” a voice called from behind.Lila turned and found Reule striding toward her. He had that hard expression, sharp eyes, and oozing with the Alpha power and authority.“Did you hear about Wren?”Lila forced her brow to furrow and her voice to speak in surprise.“No, what happened?”“She’s gone. Disappeared without a trace," Reule said with a tight voice filled with worry and anger.Lila gasped, and her hand covered her mouth.“That’s terrible! How could this happen?”Reule didn't answer. He studied her, his gaze penetrating, making Lila feel almost exposed. But she quickly masked her unease by stepping closer to hi
After being yanked out of the river, Wren felt her world was a chaotic blur of cold water and darkness. She gasped for air while coughing up water, and her body shuddered. The water was cold as ice.Suddenly, her arm was gripped by a rough hand, pulling her out into the muddy bank. But her vision seemed unclear. She couldn't tell whether what she was seeing was real.Acwulf stood over her and blocked the little light filtered through the trees. Her eyes gleamed, and his face marked triumph and a predator's satisfaction. He finally caught his prey and was now ready to be devoured.“You’ll regret this,” Wren rasped. Her throat was raw from inhaling water, but Acwulf only smirked. She was like a ragdoll, almost lifeless and barely able to stand. Wren knew she couldn't fight him but tried so hard to hide the fear.Acwulf crouched down with his face inches from Wren. His mouth smelled a mixture of smoke and alcohol, a scent that made her stomach twist.“Regret?” he chuckled. “Darling, I
There was no point in hiding, so Lila came out. She smiled at Wren and said, "Hello! I didn't expect you to be here. I thought you were some boys. I was about to take a swim."Wren's confusion slowly disappeared. She was somehow satisfied with Lila's explanation. Only a few knew about this river and could scare you with a little bit of sound or rattle of the leaves behind the bushes. But she didn't smile at Lila and just turned around."Bitch!" Lila whispered.The soft trickle of water filled the air as Wren knelt by the riverbank. Her hands skimmed the cool surface. Her reflection wavered in the ripples, but she barely noticed it. She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the stream, hoping it might help chase away the lingering fatigue that clung to her. The fever had left her weakened. Lila remarked that a walk to the river would help her recovery, but Wren wasn't sure.“You’re looking better already,” Lila said from behind her, her voice faking to be cheerful.Wren opened her
Lila stood by the large window inside an abandoned cabin a few meters away from her pack's territory. She stared at the sprawling woods bordering the Gray Pack’s territory. The fading sunlight streamed through the trees. It cast long, twisted shadows that seemed to stretch toward her. Her fingers drummed against the window frame, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoing the beat of her own racing heart. She was nervous like hell.It was almost time.Her mind buzzed with the plan. Every detail was etched into her thoughts like a brand. She had been turning it over and over in her head, refining it, making sure it was perfect. She couldn't afford to make mistakes if she didn't want to die.Acwulf’s words from their meeting still echoed in her ears: “I won’t fail.” She had taken a risk by allying with him, a man whose reputation sent shivers through even the bravest wolves. But desperation had pushed her, and there was no turning back now. This was more than just getting rid of Wren. This was a
Acwulf hated drawing attention, actually almost every member of the Black Pack. It's one of their strengths that they were taught to attack an enemy without them even knowing. And so, wherever they go, they try not to be noticeable as much as possible.Right now, Acwulf moved like a shadow through the narrow alleyways of the marketplace. The hood of his cloak was pulled so low that it almost covered his face. The cacophony of traders shouting their wares, the scent of fresh bread mingling with the musk of leather, did nothing to soothe the turmoil brewing inside him. His mind was consumed with one thought: Wren.He tightened his grip on the worn leather strap of his satchel. Although the Black Pack is well-known, robbers are still unintimidated. Some would still attempt to rob them, thinking any member of the Black Pack would be stupid enough to let them. But Acwulf was not among the stupid ones, he carried his money with care. He didn’t even care about the bustling streets or the cur
The engine's sound died as gravel crunched beneath Yannis' boots when he stepped off his motorcycle. He instantly noticed the heavy silence enveloping the Gray Pack’s territory, broken only by the rustle of the wind through pine trees. The Gray Pack had always been a second home to him, it's where he could let his guard down, especially his funny moments with Reule. Yannis' gaze swept over the dense forest that circled the territory. As a warlock, his senses could easily pick up the subtle change of the place's atmosphere. He had been here, maybe five years ago. And as far as he could remember, it should not be this quiet. Yannis adjusted the strap of his black leather jacket and made his way to the big gate. He smirked because he could feel sharp eyes watching him from the shadows. The Gray Pack was known for its wariness toward outsiders, as they were very protective of what was theirs. They couldn't help it as they were one of the smallest packs, but because of their Alpha and th
Conri was left sitting alone in the eerie silence of his dining hall. Outside the house, the rain was pouring loudly while the wind angrily smashed into the trees. The simple rain turned into a storm that grew stronger by the minute. It added to why Conri's hands trembled as he poured his favorite bourbon into his glass.The momentary relief of Acwulf’s departure was quickly replaced by a gnawing anxiety that dug deep into his bones. The tension in his chest hadn’t eased, and Conri could still feel the weight of Acwulf’s cold gaze on him like a noose tightening around his neck.He downed the expensive bourbon in one gulp, and the whiskey burned, but it only soothed his nerves a little. It didn't remove all his worry because Conri’s mind raced. It replayed every word of their conversation, every subtle shift in Acwulf’s demeanor. Had he made the right decision? Would the information hold up? Or had he just signed his death warrant?The wind rattled the window, and the loud sound of the
Meanwhile, at the White Pack territory...The sound of thunder was angry as the heavy rain poured non-stop. At the same time, the wet leaves danced aggressively with the blow of the wind. But Acwulf barely noticed the storm beyond the walls of Conri’s house. The storm inside him was louder and more dangerous.Acwulf pushed the door to the dining hall without even bothering that a guard was standing outside. He didn't care. He knew the entire White Pack was afraid of the Black Pack members. He intimidated them by just merely looking. Conri’s dining hall was not as big compared to Acwulf's Alpha's house. However, the design was more welcoming and full of vintage paintings. It was no secret that Conri's father was a fan of art and vintage items. And Acwulf wondered if Conri was the same or a total opposite.The stale scent of old whiskey and a newly cooked turkey filled his nostrils. It made Acwulf's stomach growl a little. He just realized that he hadn't had food since morning. His des